Volume 4 Chapter 5 – Yamanoi Shrine 5

| Kyosuke Todou

The two of them, still holding each other tightly, fell silent as they looked my way, their eyes swirling with emotions.

But they don’t seem like friends…nor exactly allies. A peculiar pair. What could they be?

The image on their phones—both of them with cameras hanging from their necks…

I don’t recall ever seeing these two, yet they were taking pictures of me.

Wait, why?

And they were both doing it simultaneously—a coincidence?

A double stalker situation?

…It’s like ordering double-distilled liquor at a bar.

“Master, two stalkers, double, on the rocks. Oh, and light on the ice, please.”

No, that’s not it.

For now, let’s close the phone screen and use a spell of awareness.

It’s hard to see the color of their eyes because they keep spinning around like that. It’s making me dizzy. With considerable effort, I finally managed to see their eye colors—full of anxiety, worry, and regret. In other words, they’re afraid of being scolded.

I decided to treat these two with the same cautious attitude I’d use with beastfolk.

I waved my phone slowly in front of them to draw their attention. As soon as they stopped swirling, I swung it even more broadly, side to side.

Watching them follow it with their eyes, I held it above them briefly, then slowly tucked it into both of my jacket pockets.

The moment their gaze shifted to my pockets, I cast a subtle illusion spell to divert their perception.

Before they noticed, I approached them and gently patted their heads. Naturally, I used a mild healing spell along with it. By the time they realized, I was already close. They’d probably think, “Oh, he was right here all along.” Some might call it misdirection.

Or rather, magic.

Without resisting, they let themselves be petted, their tense bodies gradually relaxing. Good. Even from a distance, I could tell how tightly they’d been clinging to each other.

They’d probably break if they kept that up.

Once their tension finally eased, they separated and turned to face me.

In that instant, I caught sight of a black cat pin and a celadon-colored ribbon…something faintly familiar.

Oh well. But still, kids like these…resorting to spying?

A familiar face from my school days, Shutou-san—the one with the four-leaf clover. She’s the real issue here. Magic spying? So magic really does show up in photos.

If I’ve been caught, there’s no helping it. I can’t lie, after all. But normally, no one would believe it.

Still, both of them are spying.

What should I do? Maybe I’ll start by asking some questions.

“Could you both tell me a bit about this?”

I took their phones out of my pockets again and asked.

“We’re so sorry!”

They both fell forward in unison, smoothly and gracefully…into a deep bow.

◆

“Apologizing so quickly—that’s admirable. Honesty is always best. But you don’t have to bow like that…”

It’s hard to watch girls do a double bow. It’s awkward. The double stalking thing is awkward, too, though.

“Come on, both of you, stand up. Oh no…your clothes are dirty. You were so cute, and now you’re all messed up.”

From the torii gate to the shrine’s main hall, the path is paved with stone, but the rest is dirt. Shutou-san is wearing shorts, and the girl with black hair is in a knee-length skirt. They’ll scrape their knees. And they’re both cute, too.

“…A proposal?”

“…Are you asking for an engagement?”

“Haha, please don’t tease me.”

As they stood up slowly, they tossed out such unexpected words. They’re kind of amusing. Are they similar somehow? Still, that was a pretty sudden remark. We’ve only just met, right?

Though maybe it’s not so sudden for them, depending on how long they’ve been watching me.

As I pondered this, Shutou-san made a request.

“Could you put the blue one on me?”

“The blue one? What, like blood?”

“…!”

“And the green one, too.”

“Don’t ignore me! What do you mean by ‘green’? A tanuki?”

“…”

Pointing at the dirt on her knees, she said, “Blue.” Then, gesturing to the bandage on her palm, she added, “Green.” …Did she figure it out? This feels like a coded hint meant just for me, something only I would recognize. Meanwhile, the girl with black hair seems oblivious to it—Shutou-san’s way of passing a message, perhaps.

Or maybe she’s trying to bait me. Or half-revealing the truth, hoping I’ll confirm it.

“…This isn’t really the place for that. Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“I’d like you to come to my house. A home date.”

“Wha—! You just called me a perv earlier, and now it’s a complete turnaround! …This is like some hidden ‘cabbage roll girl’ charm! So this is what a real high school girl is like…!”

Leaving the trembling Mamiya-san aside, Shutou-san’s eyes seemed to flicker.

“…Alright, sure. Let’s go. But before that, can you both tell me more about yourselves?”

◆

Since our initial introduction was abrupt, they reintroduced themselves formally. Shutou Kinuko, an old classmate, and Mamiya Haruka, a second-year middle schooler.

They pointed at each other in unison.

Shutou-san called Mamiya-san a stalker, insisting she wasn’t one herself.

Mamiya-san, likewise, called Shutou-san a stalker and clarified that she wasn’t either.

…You two really do get along well.

In other words, it appears both of them are my stalkers. A double stalker situation, after all.

I’m not sure why this happened, but at least I understand the current situation.

Apparently, they’ve been at it for around three years… Do people stalk someone that long?

I always thought I had decent instincts…but honestly, if anyone has remarkable stealth skills, it’s these two. I hadn’t noticed a thing.

“…Kyosuke-kun, I’m sorry.”

“Todou-san, I apologize.”

Perhaps sensing my silence as disapproval, they both apologized meekly. Well, judging by the colors in their eyes, I can tell they’re genuinely regretful, so that’s enough.

Their eyes flicker with traces of deception and hidden motives. This particular flickering—are they covering for someone? Both of them? But they’re not exactly covering for each other…

“So, what kind of punishment do you two think would be fair?”

But lying isn’t good.

◆

“Don’t follow me.”

“Aw, come on!”

“Hmph.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“This isn’t like you.”

“…I know I’m kind of delusional…but I can’t pass up this chance…”

“Here’s the condition.”

“…What is it?”

“Get past the forest.”